Three fined players now know that the league doesn’t like it when they speak their minds about the NFL officiating.
Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, Rams linebacker Clay Matthews, and Lions safety Tracy Walker were all fined $12,500 after they criticized the officials for their recent, questionable calls. They knew they would have to pay a price, but they refused to keep quiet on the subject. Let’s have a look as to how each player was fined, and can something change before the season ends?
Baker Mayfield
Mayfield was fined for his comments about the officiating crew after the Browns’ 32-28 loss to Seattle last Sunday. The team was flagged nine times for 83 yards in a game that had a total of 19 penalties combined for both teams. There were a few calls made that he was unhappy about, but the most notable was a blindside blocking penalty called on Jarvis Landry. That penalty occurred in the third quarter after a 4-yard catch by Nick Chubb. He was questioned about it at a press conference.
“I will probably get fined for saying this, but it was pretty bad today. The guy is squared up with him, running at him, and he is lowering his head into Jarvis. What is he supposed to do? Avoid him? This is not bullfighting. I don’t know.”
Clay Matthews
Matthews took to Twitter to express this thoughts about the officiating after the debacle that is the Packers-Lions game last Monday night. The news of his fine was first reported by NFL analyst Adam Schefter.
Detroit was called for two “suspicious” facemask penalties, and the refs failed to see a key pass interference call. It was later when they admitted that they made mistakes. Matthews dealed with a controversial call last year when a key pass interference call won the Rams the NFC championship and their ticket to the Super Bowl. However, it created an uproar with the Saints fans.
Tracy Walker
Walker was a part of the aforementioned Monday Night Football debacle last Monday night. He was flagged for unneccessary roughness after a helmet-to-helmet contact with Packers receiver Geronimo Allison in the 23-22 loss to Green Bay. He went on to state his opinion on this “awful” call.
“I felt like a went for the ball and (it) just so happened we collided, but I was looking for the ball. It was an awful call by them. It is what is is, though.”
Something has to Change…
So, now, people know NFL officials don’t like to be judged for their mistakes on the field. The line was drawn after last Monday, and it seems the only people who can saying their opinions without having to pay anything is the fans. One person who actually had to say something about this was ESPN officiating analyst John Parry. Parry – who retired after officiating last year’s Super Bowl – demanded the need for change as they look into the future.
“We have younger officials cutting their teeth in the NFL. We have older officials that have 20-year plus…So, you’re going to see 10 to 20 more retirements after this season which is going to lead to less experienced, younger officials.”
If they want to stop making questionable calls that could drive players and fans alike, it would be better to put the competent veterans to work. The young ones will need much more time to understand the hard-hitting, complicated world of making the right call. Otherwise, more mistakes will occur that could have officials fired before retirement or even before they’re at least 6 months in as an NFL referee.
Best of luck to the veterans and rookie referees hoping to stay in the league.
